Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, faces legal challenge over Park housing  27 February 2012


The Crystal Palace Community Association is challenging the decision of the Secretary of State to approve sale of protected public parkland for construction of luxury apartments, under London Development Agency Masterplan proposal for Crystal Palace Park.

This £67 million 'Masterplan' proposal including 180 luxury flats, is on Grade II* registered, Metropolitan Open Land on the site of Joseph Paxton's historic glass masterpiece, and by an applicant (LDA) that will no longer exist after 1st April 2012.

The CPCA will mount legal challenge in the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand on 7th March 2012 to this decision by the Secretary of State, which could establish legal precedent threatening all public parks and open spaces throughout the United Kingdom.

At this one-day hearing, which CPCA members may wish to attend, the CPCA will be represented by barristers Robert McCracken QC and Annabel Graham-Paul.

The Royal Courts of Justice commence at 10.00am.


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CPCA legal challenge over Park housing  Posted - February 2012


The Crystal Palace Community Association is challenging the decision of the Secretary of State to approve sale of protected public parkland for construction of luxury apartments, under London Development Agency Masterplan proposal for Crystal Palace Park.

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CPCA responds to Bromley's 'Core Strategy' consultation  Posted - December 2011


The London Borough of Bromley has begun the process of producing their 'Core Strategy' document for the Borough. This document will help determine the long-term planning strategy for the Borough and its conclusions will be incorporated into their Local Development Framework (LDF) - a replacement for the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

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Upper Norwood Library faces closure and sale after Croydon withdraw funding  Posted - November 2011


The unilateral decision by Croydon Council to 'terminate' the Upper Norwood Library Joint Agreement was, according to Croydon, the direct consequence of '...fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth Council'. Such breach, according to Croydon, was the refusal by Lambeth Council 'to attend the last Annual General Meeting and failing to co-operate at the 2010 meeting.'

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Re-run AGM farce as Croydon refuses to honour Joint Library Agreement  Posted - September 2011


Croydon Council's continuing failure to meet the terms of their partnership agreement with Lambeth Council, caused yet another meeting of The Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee to be abandoned last Thursday, the 15 September, when more than seventy people attended the Library Annual General Meeting, where the future of the 111-year old Library was to be considered.

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CPCA to challenge Secretary of State's approval for 180 luxury flats in Crystal Palace Park  Posted - January 2011


Following the Secretary of State's Formal Decision to grant planning permission to the LDA Masterplan application for Crystal Palace Park, the CPCA have been advised that there are powerful legal grounds to challenge this in the High Court. It is currently preparing evidence and other material to tight deadlines and urgently considering the matter of costs.

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